Campaign posters have appeared throughout Damascus as Syria gears up for a parliamentary election in government-held areas on Monday. This election is expected to reinforce the ruling Baath party's dominance, a party that has held power since 1963. This will be the fourth parliamentary election since the civil war began in 2011, with the Baath party anticipated to secure the majority of the 250 seats.

Despite the introduction of new candidates, many familiar faces are still in the running. Fawaz Hanna, a 56-year-old resident, noted that the primary concerns of the populace are related to living conditions amidst the severe hyperinflation caused by the war, which has pushed millions into poverty. Hanna emphasized the need for candidates to fulfill their campaign promises, which often focus on economic revival.

In central Damascus, candidates have put up posters pledging to support small businesses and promote a competitive industry. However, the Baath party and its allies face minimal opposition, with only independent candidates running against them. The election will only take place in government-controlled areas, excluding the millions of Syrians living in Kurdish-controlled regions, areas near the Turkish border controlled by rebels or jihadists, and refugees abroad.

The exiled Syrian opposition has condemned the election as absurd and unrepresentative of the broader population. According to authorities, 8,953 candidates, including 1,317 women, are vying for seats in parliament, though most candidates are men.

Some citizens, like 22-year-old student Aya Jdid, have noticed the scarcity of female candidates. Others, like event planner Johnny Arbash, remain skeptical about the elections, seeing many of the same candidates as before but hoping for efforts to improve the people's well-being. Arbash holds some optimism due to recent diplomatic openings with Saudi Arabia and potential rapprochements with Turkey, which he believes could positively impact living conditions.

While some, like geography teacher Hossam Shaheen, are enthusiastic about voting and encouraging others to do the same, others like Bashir, 33, plan to spoil their ballots in protest, believing the election outcome is predetermined but still wanting to exercise their right to participate.